Constitution Section 91 — Power of the Deputy Chairman or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman

Part V — THE UNION — Officers of Parliament

Constitutional

Summary

When the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Vice-President of India) is absent or the office is vacant, the Deputy Chairman takes over the duties. If the Deputy Chairman’s office is also vacant, the President appoints another member of the Rajya Sabha to perform those duties. If the Chairman is absent from a sitting, the Deputy Chairman acts as Chairman; if the Deputy Chairman is also absent, the rules of the Council decide who acts, or if no such person is present, the Council itself chooses someone.

Official Text

(1) While the office of Chairman is vacant, or during any period when the Vice-President is acting as, or discharging the functions of, President, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy Chairman, or, if the office of Deputy Chairman is also vacant, by such member of the Council of States as the President may appoint for the purpose.

(2) During the absence of the Chairman from any sitting of the Council of States the Deputy Chairman, or, if he is also absent, such person as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the Council, or, if no such person is present, such other person as may be determined by the Council, shall act as Chairman.